Investors are understandably confused by the dazzling array of credentials financial professionals use to differentiate themselves when marketing their services. As the number of individuals who provide financial planning advice has increased over the years, the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) ...
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In previous columns we have discussed the importance of conducting due diligence in the process of selecting a financial services professional. There is much that you can do to screen out individuals and firms that do not deserve your trust. ...
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One of the trends that has transformed the financial services marketplace in recent decades is the increased complexity of financial products and services. Innovative technologies have resulted in a proliferation of new products designed to hedge market risk. As we ...
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It’s a familiar scenario: As he is about to retire from a large, multinational corporation, a 60-something gentleman is faced with important financial decisions. Annuity or lump sum? He accepts the “lump sum” option and decides that he will need ...
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Falling equity markets. Rising interest rates. Geopolitical forces. These and other factors contributed to the substantial volatility in our domestic financial markets as 2018 came to a close. Navigating the markets in the year ahead may be equally, if not ...
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The enduring popularity of mutual funds can be attributed, in part, to the fact that they provide investors with access to a professionally managed portfolio at a reasonable cost. In this third column in our series about investing in mutual ...
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Mutual funds continue to be a popular investment option for retail investors. At year-end 2017, retail investors owned 90 percent of the 18.7 trillion U.S. mutual fund assets, with the remaining 10 percent owned by institutional investors. Mutual funds appeal ...
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Nearly half of all U.S. households have investments in mutual funds. An estimated 100 million mutual fund investors include individuals from all age and income groups, with baby boomers accounting for a substantial portion. Yet, despite the enormous popularity of ...
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Three significant trends have transformed the financial services marketplace in recent decades. The defined contribution plan has replaced the defined benefit plan as the principal retirement vehicle provided by most employers in the private sector. Advisory accounts are now more ...
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